Maine Water Company (MWC) has announced 14 water infrastructure projects happening this year throughout the state. The company will invest over $8 million to improve service and to replace water mains ranging in age from 46 to 134 years old.

Construction sites in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland are among those projects.

“Proactive investment in infrastructure across Maine Water’s service areas benefit customers and communities not only through improved reliability and resiliency, but through improved hydraulics for fire protection, and, in some cases, increased water availability for economic development,” said Maine Water vice president Mark Vannoy, in a news release.

Projects to be completed in 2021 include:

Biddeford - Saco River Drinking Water Treatment Facility

Bucksport - Franklin Street: Phase 2 of Water Main Replacement Project

Camden - Free Street Water Main Replacement

Freeport - Spring Street Water Main Replacement

Greenville - North & South Wiggin Street Water Main Replacement

Hartland - Mountain Road Water Main Replacement

Millinocket - Elm Street Water Main Replacement

Oakland - Libby Hill Road Water Main Replacement

Oakland - Pleasant Street Water Main Replacement

Old Orchard Beach - Washington Avenue Neighborhood Water Main Replacement

Rockland - Talbot Avenue Water Main Replacement

Rockport - Route 1 Water Main

Saco - Route 1 Water Main Replacement

Skowhegan - Kennebec River Pump Station & Intake Project

Skowhegan - Hathaway Street & South Factory Street Water Main Replacement

In addition, the new Saco River Drinking Water Treatment Facility, currently under construction in Biddeford, remains on schedule to begin serving customers in the spring of 2022. The new facility will replace the current facility, constructed in 1884. The current facility is exposed to flooding from the Saco River and engineering studies confirmed that new construction, over the long-term, would be a lower cost solution than renovations to the current facility. More information on the Saco River Drinking Water Treatment Facility can be found at MaineWater.com/NewWaterFacility.

Many of the projects throughout the state are funded through Maine Water’s Infrastructure Charge (WISC) program.

“WISC allows proactive water utilities like Maine Water to systematically plan and replace aging drinking water infrastructure,” said Vannoy. He added, “Through WISC, we are able to make regular investments in the replacement of aging water mains, valves, hydrants, storage tanks, treatment equipment, control systems and other assets that are needed to provide dependable water service. These investments enhance system reliability, water quality, public fire protection, and efficiency and reduce the amount of water lost to leaks.” The costs of completed WISC projects are recovered through a surcharge on customer bills as authorized by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

The company has coordinated with local officials on traffic and will work to minimize impacts to residents and businesses from these construction activities. For more information on the 2021 infrastructure projects, please visit MaineWater.com/current-projects.